The world’s existing fleet of coal-fired plants grew by 19.5GW last year, of which more than half was commissioned in China

The world needs to stop building new plants and close existing ones at almost five times the current rate to meet Paris agreement goals. In order to meet the Paris climate agreement, all coal-fired plants need to be closed by 2040 and no new ones can come online but such is not the case at … Continue reading The world’s existing fleet of coal-fired plants grew by 19.5GW last year, of which more than half was commissioned in China →

A turning point for climate justice?

Jacqueline Peel and Zoe Nay from The University of Melbourne write on The Conversation website about a landmark resolution on climate justice by the UN to provide an advisory opinion on a country’s obligations. What are your views? The UN is asking the International Court of Justice for its opinion on states’ climate obligations. … Continue reading A turning point for climate justice? →

Owners of the 140 distilleries in Scotland have pledged, voluntarily, to transform the industry and make their operations “net-zero”

Making Scotch whisky can be a dirty business — an energy-intensive, carbon-spewing, peat-burning industry, mostly owned by multinational conglomerates that ship their $50-plus bottles to swells around the world. William Booth writes on the Washington Post website about how the industry in Scotland has committed to reach “net zero.” In Scotland, making whisky with … Continue reading Owners of the 140 distilleries in Scotland have pledged, voluntarily, to transform the industry and make their operations “net-zero” →

Britain’s energy transition: looking at its building stock, the challenges are daunting to meet the net-zero target

Thursday, March 30th, the UK government announced its net-zero strategy and you can get the main elements of it here in an article on the Guardian website. Jillian Ambrose wrote a very important background article on Monday on the Guardian website, focusing on the negligible progress made in improving the energy efficiency of its building … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: looking at its building stock, the challenges are daunting to meet the net-zero target →

European Council and Parliament reach provisional deal on renewable energy directive

The Council and the Parliament negotiators this week reached a provisional political agreement to raise the share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 with an additional 2.5% indicative top up that would allow to reach 45%. Each member state will contribute to this common target. This provisional political agreement will now … Continue reading European Council and Parliament reach provisional deal on renewable energy directive →

Member states should take more responsibility for meeting the targets of the EU buildings directive

Aneta Zachová writes on the EURACTIV website about the views of energy-saving construction expert Petr Holub that the onus for meeting targets from the EPBD should be on member states and not individual owners. Do you have any views on this? Czech expert: EU Building Directive targets should be met by states, not owners … Continue reading Member states should take more responsibility for meeting the targets of the EU buildings directive →

Is there really a need in Britain for small modular nuclear reactors in the net-zero drive?

Next-generation nuclear technologies will divert resources away from cheaper options that can more quickly contribute to energy security and climate goals, argues Andrew Warren, former special advisor to the House of Commons environment committee and a friend of EiD, in an article on the Business Green website. Small modular reactors are a high-risk and … Continue reading Is there really a need in Britain for small modular nuclear reactors in the net-zero drive? →